Lowered Forks question

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21 Dec 2008 05:33 #253816 by dragonsword619
Lowered Forks question was created by dragonsword619
I had my forks lowered a few years back. I think 2 1/4" if I remember correctly. They seem a bit spongy and I want to stiffen them up a bit. What do I need to do to make this happen?

1982 Kawasaki KZ750-E3
2003 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500
1972 Jawa 350

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21 Dec 2008 05:35 - 21 Dec 2008 05:35 #253819 by PLUMMEN
Replied by PLUMMEN on topic Lowered Forks question
check/change your fork oil is a good place to start.B)

Still recovering,some days are better than others.
Last edit: 21 Dec 2008 05:35 by PLUMMEN.

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21 Dec 2008 10:31 - 21 Dec 2008 10:46 #253882 by Beatpoet
Replied by Beatpoet on topic Lowered Forks question
They may not be too spongy at all. What does the bike do on the road that tells you that you need stiffer forks?

Where did the fork lowering leave your center of gravity, rake, and trail?

Did you make any other changes? How were the forks lowered? Were the rears changed?
Last edit: 21 Dec 2008 10:46 by Beatpoet.

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21 Dec 2008 12:25 #253904 by dragonsword619
Replied by dragonsword619 on topic Lowered Forks question
I am not near the bike right now. I had the forks sent off to be cut shorter and the rear I had lowered with shorter shocks approx 3 inches.

1982 Kawasaki KZ750-E3
2003 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500
1972 Jawa 350

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21 Dec 2008 12:49 - 21 Dec 2008 12:52 #253915 by Beatpoet
Replied by Beatpoet on topic Lowered Forks question
When did you notice the front forks being spongy?

High speed bumps? Low speed bumps? Braking? Low/High speed cornering? Accelerating? Decelerating?

The reason why I am asking for specifics is because I am studying suspension traits right now. The more specific you are in your ride description, the more specific my guess will be.

eg: If your rear shocks are too stiff/not enough travel your bike will tend to pitch forward and compress the front forks over bumps. There's nothing wrong with the front forks in this scenario, it's the rears.
Last edit: 21 Dec 2008 12:52 by Beatpoet.

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21 Dec 2008 12:57 #253917 by dragonsword619
Replied by dragonsword619 on topic Lowered Forks question
To tell you the truth I have not ridden it in two years. My brother-in-law had it. My Mean streak is my daily ride. I am not allowed to take my mean streak with me to Okinawa so I am taking the KZ with and will be completely rebuilding it. I know that I was bottoming out the front too easily and want to fix the issue.

1982 Kawasaki KZ750-E3
2003 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500
1972 Jawa 350

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23 Dec 2008 07:17 #254268 by rstnick
Replied by rstnick on topic Lowered Forks question
You can try to add some spacers into the forks, on top of the springs.
I did this as I found my springs were below the fork tube tops when the cap was off, and I wanted to stiffen up the front end.



My springs are aftermarket.
Put the bike on it's center stand, and raise the front wheel off the ground using a jack or something.
Remove one fork cap and have a look. Your spring may actually spring out, so be careful.
If it's low, you can try to add some spacers.
Here's what I used:



Others have told me to use a 30 weight oil to stiffen her up even more.
I haven't found any 30 weight fork oil on the shelf yet though.

Rob
CANADA

Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me

1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R
2005 z750s

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